Biblical and religious symbols in Italian romantic opera. Perspectives of musical hermeneutics
Biblical and religious symbols in Italian romantic opera. Perspectives of musical hermeneutics

Summary/Abstract: The 19th century brings in opera music new ways of thematic and stylistic approach. The escalation of revolutionary and political events influences the artistic life of the Italian nation, awakening in composers such as Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi another kind of spirituality. During this period, the Italian lyrical theater is moving towards new ways of expression, emphasizing the relationship between man and divinity. In these conditions, we can observe a stylistic evolution of the musical discourse, dominated by the influence of the biblical themes that the opera composers develop through dramaturgy. Numerous scenes taken from the Old Testament are found in the music of Italian operas from this period, marking an initiatory path of Italian spirituality and ethos of the nineteenth century. In this research we will present relevant musical examples from works such as Mose in Egitto - Rossini, Il diluvio universale - Donizetti, Nabucco - Verdi, Jerusalem – Verdi, highlighting the symbolic elements taken from the biblical text, rendered through music and stage action.

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